The Search

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If you choose books based on their popularity, know that this one is likely on Bill Gates' reading list and favored by venture capitalists and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. It offers a sweeping survey of Internet search technologies, delves into Google, and speculates on the cultural implications of a Web-connected world, attracting attention from businesspeople, technology futurists, and journalists alike. Authored by John Battelle, a founder of The Industry Standard and an original editor of Wired, this ambitious work reflects his extensive experience and connections. Battelle provides a historical perspective enriched with insights from notable figures like Google's founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and executives from Microsoft and various VC firms. While not solely a corporate history of Google, Battelle aims to explore the cultural anthropology of search and its role as the "database of our intentions." The narrative gains momentum as he shares insider information about Google, and the final section discusses potential future developments for the company. Battelle envisions Google as a centralizing platform for our lives, quoting an early employee on the profound implications of this potential. While some may dismiss such hype, many will seek deeper meaning in Battelle's exploration.